The relationship between coffee and health has been the subject of ongoing debate and study for ages. Researchers have conducted numerous studies into the effects of coffee on human health, and the results are not often clear. While drinking coffee regularly might increase your risk for some cancers, such as lung cancer, it may also decrease the risk for other cancers as well as have other health effects.
Coffee and Lung Cancer
There is some evidence supporting the claim that people who regularly drink coffee may have an increased risk for developing lung cancer. According to a 2010 study from the National Shanghai Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research in which researchers reviewed previous studies about cancer and coffee, an increase in coffee consumption by 2 cups per day was associated with a higher risk of developing lung cancer. However, drinking coffee was also slightly associated in a decrease in lung cancer in non-smokers.
Coffee and Other Cancers
According to a 2010 study published in the Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention journal, people who drank more than 4 cups of coffee per day have a lower risk of head and neck cancer. The study also reports that women who drank boiled (non-filtered) coffee were less likely to develop breast cancer, while those who drank filtered coffee had a higher risk of developing early breast cancer, but a lower risk for developing late breast cancer. However, men who drank boiled coffee had an increased risk of pancreatic and lung cancer.
Coffee and Other Factors
While coffee may increase the risks for developing cancer, evidence also suggest that other factors are at work. Donald Hensrud, M.D., writing for the MayoClinic.com reports that studies that found an elevated cancer risk in coffee drinkers didn't always take into effect cancer risk factors such as smoking and physical inactivity. Essentially, this means that people who drink a lot of coffee may also be more likely to be smokers or be more likely to not get enough physical activity, two factors that are more likely to lead to cancer than drinking coffee.
Coffee and Health
While coffee may or may not be associated with a higher lung cancer risks, coffee does have other health benefits. Hensrud reports that coffee may protect against health conditions including Parkinson's disease,Ttype 2 diabetes and liver cancer. However, coffee also contains caffeine, and some people have a genetic mutation that makes it harder for their bodies to retain caffeine. People with this mutation can experience higher cholesterol levels when drinking caffeinated beverages.
